GHSR-Targeted PET Imaging Probe
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) is expressed in a variety of peripheral organs, the brain, and tumor tissues, making it an important molecular target for both translational imaging and mechanistic studies of GHSR-related physiology and pathology. To date, several GHSR-targeted PET probes have been developed to support disease diagnosis and fundamental research on GHSR function. Recently, a study revealed PET tracer [ 18 F]AQ-12 demonstrated favorable properties, including low lipophilicity, comparable binding affinity to existing ligands, and notably higher pancreatic uptake in GHSR-expressing tissue. Importantly, systematic structure–activity relationship analyses of this compound have been clearly delineated, providing valuable insights to guide further ligand optimization and GHSR-targeted drug development.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and Applications
Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factors
Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 768–771
- Publication date
- 16 March 2026
- Language
- EN